Russia passes website blocking law

The Russian Parliament passed a law that would allow government officials to blacklist domains and so block access to them by its citizens. An earlier version of the law, passed by the Lower House was written so broadly that even bad language could be used to justify blocking a website. Following an outcry led by Wikipedia, Google and Russian search engine Yandex the law was tightened so only websites that deal with child abuse images, drug ads or suicide can be banned, and a court decision or specific approval from specific government departments will be required. Regardless, critics fear the new laws will be used to censor or intimidate journalists, politicians and activists. The law was one of three passed that have raised fears of a crackdown on critics of President Vladimir Putin after protests earlier this year against his third term. The other laws make slander a criminal offense and required non-government organizations to be audited annually as well as publish a biannual report on their activities. The website blacklist will come into effect on 1 November. Chairman of the US' Federal Communications Commission, Julius Genachowski, condemned the law as “a troubling and dangerous direction.”